President Donald Trump stated that the United States has "the strongest and most powerful military in the world," while defending the country's military capability amid the escalating conflict with Iran.
"The world respects us now more than ever. And thanks to the Republicans and to you in Congress, the United States has, by far, the strongest and most powerful military on the face of the Earth," Trump asserted before Republican legislators.
The president insisted that the U.S. armed forces are “the strongest anywhere on the planet” and that “now everyone understands it.”
The statements were made while Washington is participating, alongside Israel, in a war against Iran that already has global repercussions.
According to a report by , the conflict has shaken energy markets and stability in various regions of the world. The attacks and counterattacks between the United States, Israel, and Iran have affected the shipping of oil tankers in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and caused significant fluctuations in oil prices.
The American newspaper notes that in less than two weeks, the conflict has directly or indirectly involved numerous countries. France has deployed warships to protect maritime trade in the area, while Iranian drone attacks have injured civilians in Bahrain and forced the State Department to evacuate non-essential personnel from Saudi Arabia.
The war has also caused humanitarian and economic consequences. Lebanon reports around half a million displaced people due to the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, while the price of oil nearly reached 120 dollars per barrel before pulling back, creating anxiety in international markets.
Despite the magnitude of the conflict, Trump has insisted that the operation will be brief. During his speech to Republicans in Miami, he stated that the war will be a "short-term excursion" and asserted that the United States will not stop until Iran is "totally and decisively defeated."
Nevertheless, experts cited by Los Angeles Times warn that the increasingly international nature of the conflict could hinder a swift resolution. The hostilities have already involved regional allies, disrupted global energy trade, and reconfigured the balance among major powers such as China and Russia.
Meanwhile, the effects of the war are being felt beyond the Middle East. The rising fuel prices and economic uncertainty have begun to impact American consumers, amid criticism from political sectors questioning the cost and potential duration of the conflict.
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